As a liberal Democrat, I am in favor of the Internal Revenue Service workers receiving their bonuses. They should be paid and rewarded for doing their jobs.

They were asked to be “watchful” and to subject certain groups to additional scrutiny, and they did so. I am sure most liberal Democrats are happy with the results.

The less influence the tea party has the better off we all are.

Chris Winders

Kansas CityTough jury duty

To those people, well-meaning and otherwise, who can’t resist the urge to criticize a jury decision, my advice is to think twice.

If you have heard every word of testimony, studied all the exhibits, listened to the final arguments and jury instructions, deliberated at length with at least five other persons equally qualified, and, most important, if you would have been qualified to sit on the jury by virtue of having a completely open mind and are not biased in any way, then opine to your heart’s content.

If not, don’t.

Bart Budetti

OlatheSteve Rose column

I am a Christian, I am American and I am a conservative. Marriage between one man and one woman is not out of bounds. What is out of bounds is Steve Rose’s thinking that just getting used to the idea makes everything OK (7-14, Commentary, “Same-sex marriage approval is a matter of justice”).

Our core beliefs determine our behavior. This nation was based on the core beliefs, morals and ethics that were found in the Bible. By the way, I am not afraid to say God or Jesus Christ or to quote the Bible.

Mr. Rose stated that one of the reasons for the change in his thinking and of the nation stemmed from a Pew Research report of “how the media portrayed same-sex marriage and found a 5-to-1 ratio in favorable stories toward gay marriage.”

What kind of a surprise is that? The media take the liberal side on all issues, especially when God and his holy word are in direct conflict.

Ed LaBarr

KearneyU.S. justice system

The Zimmerman trial in Florida tried to make a mockery of American justice. The police officers who investigated the encounter between Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman could not find evidence to send the case to trial.

The facts as sorted out by the police indicated it was a justifiable homicide, and they said only a coroner’s inquest was needed. The police chief of Sanford, Fla., was fired for that recommendation.

The political pressure for weeks was so great that charges were filed. The marchers and television talking heads wanted a trial.

Based on what I read in The Star, there was not enough evidence for a conviction. Witness after witness, under oath, contradicted the previous person.

The jury was left with a broken nose, bloody head wounds, a dead teenager and not much else in terms of hard facts. If the special prosecutor willfully overcharged in the case, then a mockery was in the making.

But I will take the American justice system over Old Testament-style revenge.

Richard Blaisdell

Kansas CityContrition needed

If George Zimmerman beseeches Trayvon Martin’s parents in sincere contrition for their forgiveness and pledges to work in the Trayvon Martin Foundation, redemption will replace revenge, racial healing will accelerate and Trayvon will not have died in vain.

Mangesh Gaitonde

Lee’s SummitBrooks column

I have been waiting for someone to comment on David Brooks’ outrageous July 3 commentary, “We are seeing the end of old ethnic-racial order.” I can wait no longer.

Brooks wrote, “Soon, we will no longer be an outpost of Europe, but a nation of mutts, a nation with hundreds of fluid ethnicities from around the world intermarrying and intermingling.” He’s probably one of those geniuses who were upset by the biracial family in the Cheerios commercial.

I am appalled by the term “mutt.” My daughters have an African-American father and a Caucasian mother. Does that make them mutts? No, it most assuredly does not. The New Oxford American Dictionary defines mutt as “a dog, especially a mongrel.” Brooks’ use of this term is ignorant and offensive, as is his rant about the ending of the “old ethnic-racial order.”

In case you haven’t noticed, Mr. Brooks, that kind of thinking fell out of favor around the same time as a guy named Adolf Hitler.

So cheers to “intermingling and intermarrying” in our “no longer outpost of Europe,” good old USA.

Julie Burns

Kansas CityPricey KC Royals

The average price of the Kansas City Royals’ overpriced appetizers offered at the Kauffman palace is a shocking $9.25. The $6.75 Sheridan dessert is just icing on the palatial price the Royals’ organization expects a family of four to absorb for a three-hour outing.

Kansas City is in the heartland, not New York City, Chicago or Washington, D.C. The average income here is not even on the radar to afford these out-of-bounds prices, without calculating tickets and parking at $45.

If the Royals had one of the highest payrolls in baseball, these prices could be palatable, but they are a lowly 22nd in payroll.

Take me out to the ballgame at my air-conditioned home, on the big screen, with my grill and cocktails.

Harry Noll

ShawneeFarm legislation

In 1962, when I was 12 years old, I asked Dad, “What’s the difference between Democrats and Republicans?”

Without hesitation, Dad (father of 11 kids, a World War II and Korean War veteran) answered, “Democrats care about people. Republicans care about profits, and the rich get richer and the poor get poorer when Republicans are in power.”

Over the next 51 years of my life, I have watched politics and have seen that my dad was right regarding party allegiances. And those allegiances have become more exaggerated in recent years.

The House Republicans have reached a shameful, despicable low by not including food assistance for the less fortunate in the farm bill legislation.

I support federal assistance to farmers because their role in the economy is significant. But I also support federal assistance to those who need financial support for one reason or a combination of reasons.

Yet, the less fortunate have been thrown under the bus again by the GOP House members. The GOP counters it will address food assistance in a future bill. Anyone believe that?

What would Jesus do? He’d vote for food assistance, and I think the Bible verifies his support to share with the poor.

Michael Yanez

TonganoxieOsterheldt’s column

Thank you for Jeneé Osterheldt’s solid piece, “I’m afraid of the next George Zimmerman,” on July 16, regarding the effect of the Zimmerman verdict. And thanks for the appropriate placement at the top of A1.

Dave Winters

ShawneeWhite House swamp

We voters were led to believe that this administration would be the model of transparency, perpetuating a fundamental transformation of the United States. It appears to have been partially true, as we have been fundamentally transformed.

But into what, and where in the world did that pesky transparency go? With all these scandals swirling, nobody seems to know anything except to pass the buck and plead the Fifth Amendment.

This president has no problem with transparency so long as he benefits, but if things go south, everything goes fuzzy.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi famously remarked that she was going to “drain the swamp.” Somebody needs to slip her Roto-Rooter’s emergency number because her pipes are plugged and the backup has risen to the White House front door.

Chris Harper

Lee’s SummitClean up Royals

Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost should tell his team that anyone hitting below .250 has to be clean shaven and have his hair cut short. Our team looks pretty grubby.